What else is there to do early on a Sunday morning, especially in winter?

Swapmeets are a great way to teach kids about money. Set them a budget and encourage them to make transactions themselves.

You'll find three types of sellers at the 'swappies':

The regulars – they've got the most 'professional' looking setups and arrive early to bag their fave spot (one woman told me she gets to the Karrinyup carpark at 2am each week.)

The need-to-make-fast-cash crew – often they're twenty-somethings who've cleaned out their wardrobes because they're planning to go overseas/move out/buy a car.

The finally-getting-rid-of-the-kids'-stuff squad – they're there because the kids are now in high school so they don't really have any need for a high chair anymore.

Advertisement

What are people selling? Well, there's everything from kids clothes to plants, books, art and bikes to shoes. And let's not forget videos – yes, actually VHS!

For me heading to the swap meet (usually the one at Karrinyup) is a family affair. My sons (aged two and four) like looking at the books, toys and they're all about The Avengers and Dora the Explorer. (Odd combination, I know.)

Hubby likes complaining about the prices ("Tell him he's dreaming").

You can usually pick up kids books for about 50 cents and toys will depend on the size and condition but we've grabbed some character toys for cheap, like this one-footed Hulk.

It was a reluctant purchase on my behalf. I said 'no' because of the missing appendage, but I was overruled by my husband and boys. They were excited that you could stretch his arms and he growled.

Cost - $1.

We've also checked out the Melville swap meet last Sunday.

There were some pretty cool stalls with lots of retro stuff - old sewing machines, records, heaps of op shop style clothes (plenty of big winter coats). There was a bit of kids stuff too.

We picked up a Dora doll (who's in dire need of a hair brush) and a dog puppet.

Cost - $6 for both.

I fully know we overpaid for the puppet (he was $4) but it was from a sweet elderly couple and it was early in the morning.

'Early in the morning' means there's less scope for haggling. Prices get cheaper later when sellers are weighing up dropping the price or taking things home.

The rule of thumb is – early for the best range, later for the best deals.

And the good news for bargain hunters, despite concern that Sunday trading (it starts in just over a week) might have shut them down, they are ALL continuing.

Most are just finishing earlier (because the shops will be open from 11am) and in the case of Karrinyup and Morley – moving to different carparks in the shopping centre complexes.

Here's where you can make a plethora of pre-loved purchases bright and early on a Sunday morning:

Belmont –Belmont Forum carpark

Kardinya - Kardinya Park Shopping Centre carpark

Karrinyup – Karrinyup Shopping Centre carpark

Maddington - Centro Maddington carpark

Melville – Melville Shopping Centre carpark

Morley – Morley Galleria carpark

Nedlands - Broadway Fair Shopping Centre

Rockingham – Rockingham Oval Carpark

Wanneroo – Wanneroo Showgrounds (every second Sunday)

There's also a Baby and Kids Market that rotates between Belmont, South Fremantle and Warwick. The next one is on at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Belmont on August 26 from 9am till noon. You can find the full timetable here.

Or, if you're after some styling secondhand stuff for yourself (and you like to think you put the rrrrr in retro), plan a trip to the Polka Dot Vintage Market, part of the 3 in 1 Market, at Claremont Showgrounds next Saturday and Sunday.

Swap meets and secondhand markets are great for bargains, good for the environment as you're reusing instead of throwing something out, and it's a great way to teach kids about money.

You can set your kids a budget and encourage them to make transactions themselves. They always seem to get a kick out of paying for things.

Plus, the moral of my swap meet story is keep looking because you never know what you might find.

My boys eventually scored a Hulk who's got both his feet.

Cost - $4.

Mind you, if you're in the market for a foot spa, you have my personal GUARANTEE that you will find one. You always, always, ALWAYS find a foot spa at the swapmeet.

Case in point – spotted this one at the Melville swapmeet last weekend. (I didn't bother to ask the price, because honestly – who wants a foot spa?)

What other swap meets around Perth are worth a look with the kids?

6 comments

Not just for kids. I got everything I needed when I moved out of home at the markets. Frying pans, cutlery and even a table set

Commenter

Leon

Location

Alfred Cove

Date and time

August 10, 2012, 6:52AM

Hey, it's not only swap meets and garage sales that my kids love. They love road side collection. Especially when they were younger they would always be bringing stuff home from other peoples piles of "rubbish" some of which we still have. They loved it. Mind you their father goes to the tip with a trailer load, then comes home with a trailer load. LOL. It never ceases to amaze me what people throw away. We definitely have a Steptoe and daughter/son thing going, though the trash we have does end up looking like treasure.

Commenter

maudee

Location

Perth

Date and time

August 10, 2012, 8:58AM

Good article, we get all of our kids clothes, books, bikes and toys from the swap meets. we have saved a fortune.

Not only teaching them to find bargain items but also allowing the grown ups to hunt forwhat is needed in blothes, books and toys.I used to take both to an opshop where bags of plastic toys were being sold for $2.Then on sunday, on a table cloth, they'll exhibit their wares and eagerly sell while I go hunting for what was needed at home. They were too engrossed in this trade to run around unsupervised Their score in maths was the highest in the classroomand their love for second hand things is still strong although both have good jobs.Now, the grand children are experiencing with their mum and their nanna, the pleasure ofmaking their own money and dealing with the public. And the maths are still high on their list.I never gave them pocket money, they worked for it.

Commenter

thoughts

Location

Date and time

August 11, 2012, 7:59AM

Good article think I will take the grand kids this weekend. See what they can buy on a small allowance. May even pick up a bargain myself